in the Order Insessores Heterogenes. 353; 



differ very little, if at all, from that of the true rollers and bee- 

 eaters. 



It will be sufficient to add that the rollers are more stoutly, 

 framed than the others, only in this resembling the crows : 

 the bee-eaters have the leg-bones, in particular, extremely 

 slight ; and the general form is more elongated than in the 

 kingfishers and rollers. The crania of the roller and bee-eat? 

 er are very similar. 



With respect to the soft parts of the genera Merops and 

 Coracias, it is only from cursory and incidental remarks that 

 I have obtained any information concerning them, but it would 

 appear that they resemble closely those of the kingfishers.— 

 The muscular coat of the stomach is much attenuated ; intes- 

 tine rather short; and cceca doubtless absent in all, as I have 

 found to be the case in several Halcyonida, both piscivorous 

 and insectivorous, which circumstance is indicated by no di- 

 versity in the conformation of the digestive organs. The sim- 

 plicity of the vocal apparatus is remarked by Cuvier : and the 

 tongue of each has been described as very short and heart- 

 shaped; insomuch that the rollers, like the hornbills and hoo- 

 poes, and various other birds which have this organ either 

 minute, or of a form unfit to assist in deglutition, are conse- 

 quently obliged to throw their food into the air, and catch it 

 in the throat. 



Externally, these birds have, a thick and tough skin, and 

 generally firm plumage, which is brightly coloured. They 

 have a wide gape, and large and strong bill : powerful wings; 

 but short legs, ill adapted for progressive motion : the toes, in 

 the HalcyonidcB and Meropidce, are typically syndactyle. — 

 They subsist exclusively (I suspect) on living prey,* which is 

 mainly or wholly seized from the wing, but often watched for 

 sitting : and the beak only is made use of in capturing and 

 securing it. The whole of the species breed invariably in 

 holes, and always retire to roost to them, frequently during 



* Bechstein asserts that the European roller "also eats bulbous roots, 

 aeorns, and grains of corn; " but he subsequently remarks of it, when in cap- 

 tivity, that " I have even brought it to eat bread, vegetables, and softened 

 oatmeal ; though it always prefers animal food." Temminck is silent about 

 its devouring any description of vegetable matter: but Le Vaillant, who la- 

 bours to show that the rollers are nearly related to the Corvidee, also states 

 that they are partially frugivorous. I believe that the European roller has 

 been reported to rob other birds of their eggs, which is not improbable, and 

 would be an interesting fact to ascertain : but, if its stomach, as described, 

 " resembles that of the kingfisher," it would consequently seem unfitted for 

 digesting vegetable substances ; even taking into consideration the mem- 

 branaceous character of this organ in the bustards and coursers, where a 

 more detailed description of it is required. 



hh2 



